Biblical Humility What It Is and What It Is Not

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3 ESV)

One of the main contentions of the Emergents is that it is an arrogant thing to teach from the Bible as if it is absolute truth. They say that the truly humble are those who confess to know nothing precisely, but only in a nebulous sort of way. This is primarily an attempt to appear humble to the world by seeking common ground with everyone, which is only possible if truth is held loosely so there is room for compromise. In the world’s eyes this does appear to be humble, but is this biblical humility? In my time off over the last several days I discussed this with several of those very close to me. In response to my reiteration of the Emergent position on truth and humility my daughter responded almost instantaneously with the following passage (the part in the bold, which is John 8:32).

As he was saying these things, many believed in him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:30-32 ESV)

Here is v32 in the Greek, “και γνωσεσθε την αληθειαν και η αληθεια ελευθερωσει υμας.” The words “will know” here is νωσεσθε, which means to know experientially. It is in future tense, middle voice. This means this is describing action that takes place in the future to the the subject passively or as the result of some other action. Jesus is describing those who truly abide in His Word proving they are truly His disciples. As a result of these two things, they “will know” the truth (αληθειαν) and the truth (αληθεια) will set “you” (υμας) “free” (ελευθερωσει). These two forms of the same word for truth describe “truth” as the unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with an appearance. This is reality clearly lying before our eyes as opposite to a mere appearance without reality. In this case, the context shows us that the truth our Lord was speaking of here is God’s truth as opposed to the “truth” the world believes. In other words, this truth has reference not only to the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, but also to the teaching that He brought. What does knowing this truth do for the believer? It sets him or her free. The word ελευθερωσει describes liberating people from some sort of bondage. In this case our Lord was referring to the true disciples liberation from bondage to sin.

This is just one of countless other examples throughout the Bible that if we dig into them deeply we will see the consistent plan of God for the salvation of His people, how it will become manifest and what the result will be. This is God’s truth. To learn these things does not in any way put us into bondage. It does throw down the false teachings about what true humility is and shows us that to know God’s truth is actually a blessing that only those with the Holy Spirit and who have been cleansed through the washing of regeneration can know. Now, is it arrogant to proclaim this as God’s truth as part of the Gospel? What is true Biblical humility. John Calvin wrote, “It is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.”1 True Biblical humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. True, biblical, genuine humility is rooted in God’s holiness and our sinfulness. It has nothing to do with proclaiming God’s truth as the truth.

Sure, we can minister from positions of pride and this is something we must be very careful not to do. As we minister, we should do so as our Lord did. He was gentle, forgiving, gracious, and loving to those who knew they were sinners and not fit for the Kingdom of God. He ministered to them in such a way that it brought down the wrath of those who were actually the ones who were being arrogant and prideful, the Jewish Religious leaders of His day. Did Jesus minister to these men the same way he did to the outcasts of society? No, He was very firm and blunt with them. He never gave an inch with them. He told the truth about their lostness and arrogance and rebellion to their faces, which is what we are called to do in standing firm in our day against those who preach and teach heresy. However, we are to graciously give the Good News of the Gospel to all who will hear, just as our Lord did. This is not arrogance, but biblical humility.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:1-13 ESV)

The motives for how we are to live this Christian life and minister are found here. All truly in Christ have the mind of Christ and so they are able to walk in repentance and emulate Christ in all parts of their lives. These will do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility (ταπεινοφροσυνη) count others more significant than than themselves. The KJV translates this word in this passage as “in lowliness of mind.” The humble are those who esteem themselves small inasmuch as they are so in relation to God. They do not believe that, in and of themselves, that they are in any way fit for the Kingdom of God. Instead, they know that outside of God having mercy on them and by His grace through the faith given to them to believe and repent, they would in no way be part of the Kingdom. However, this “lowliness of mind” also carries forward to all relationships. We cannot truthfully confess that we are following Christ if we are operating from pride or arrogance in any of our relationships.

Our example is Jesus Christ who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. He went to the Cross to die for His people that their sins would be paid for by His sacrifice. This is the supreme act of humility. Therefore, those in Christ are called to look to this example in how they are to live and minister. This is that part where we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as God works in us both to will and work for His good pleasure. This is a description of us submitting to the sanctifying fires from our Lord so that we will grow in humility as we mortify the sins that cling so close.

Our Lord’s example of humility led to His extreme glorification. God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on the the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. For us, glorification awaits. I see myself as totally unworthy of any glorification. I deserve God’s wrath not eternal life. However, this is true for all truly in Christ.

Now, biblical humility is understanding one’s right standing before God. It is not denying that one knows the truth. Those who proclaim the truth and use proper Biblical exegesis in order to properly teach it are not being arrogant nor are they ceasing from being humble. They most certainly can do their ministry with the wrong motives, but the teaching of God’s Word correctly is not the source of that. Our Lord clearly told us that those who are truly His disciples will know the truth and it would set them free. Throughout the rest of the New Testament, we are commanded to preach the Word and proclaim the Gospel. We do this correctly as all we do is firmly rooted in God’s Word as absolute truth.

Thank you Cassandra, to God be the glory, this is His truth. God is sustaining me and my family. We are commanded to rejoice in the midst of fiery trials and what we learn as we do this is that He is right there with us. He is a good God and He is very good to us.

Hi Mike, I am glad that you are back!!! I hope that you are doing better…

I think all of us, including the Emergents, need to decide whether God is sovereign or is man. It is the battle that underlies all of the battles over truth that we face today. It is the question that lies at the root of the theological meltdown that has given us the emerging humanistic churches of today. Will we go to God’s clear Word or will we decide that man knows better and discard that Word? At the bottom is spiritual rebellion…man’s inherent belief that he knows better than God, and he in fact is his own god. We truly only have two belief systems today, one that will do things man’s way and the other that will bow his knee before God and proclaim Jesus is the LORD.

Therefore, I urge you brothers through the compassions of God to present your bodies as living, holy sacrifices, well pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service. And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may discern the will of God, that which is good and well pleasing and perfect.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. (Colossians 1:24-26 ESV)

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The way of escape

"To believe that He will preserve us is, indeed, a means of preservation. God will certainly preserve us, and make a way of escape for us out of the temptation, should we fall. We are to pray for what God has already promised. Our requests are to be regulated by His promises and commands. Faith embraces the promises and so finds relief." - John Owen

How to be free from bondage to our flesh and temptation

"If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation. Let this be one aspect of our daily intercession: 'God, preserve my soul, and keep my heart and all its ways so that I will not be entangled.' When this is true in our lives, a passing temptation will not overcome us. We will remain free while others lie in bondage." - John Owen

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About me

My name is Mike Ratliff. I am a δοῦλος (slave) of the Κύριον ᾿Ιησοῦν Χριστόν (Lord Jesus Christ.) I have been a Bible teacher since the late 1980's. I am currently learning Koine Greek, which I began in 1992 and will continue to do so until the Lord takes me home. I am Reformed in my theology because I recognize that God is Sovereign over all things. I write these posts as God directs. I am also part of the discernment team at Christian Research Network.

OTHERS MAY, YOU CANNOT

by G. D. Watson

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25

If God has called you to be truly like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility. He will put on you such demands of obedience that you will not be allowed to follow other Christians. In many ways, He seems to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Others who seem to be very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and scheme to carry out their plans, but you cannot. If you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag about themselves, their work, their successes, their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing. If you begin to do so, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but God may supply you only on a day-to-day basis, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, a helpless dependence on Him and His unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward while keeping you hidden in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God may let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him and get the credit, but He will make you work and toil without knowing how much you are doing. Then, to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work which you have done; this to teach you the message of the Cross, humility, and something of the value of being cloaked with His nature.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, and with a jealous love rebuke you for careless words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign and has a right to do as He pleases with His own, and that He may not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

God will take you at your word. If you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and let other people say and do many things that you cannot. Settle it forever; you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue or chaining your hand or closing your eyes in ways which others are not dealt with. However, know this great secret of the Kingdom: When you are so completely possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven, the high calling of God.